The coxswain retorts, "And how do you know it was not one of your group? How well do you know your companions?"
The captain, however, looks thoughtful and replies, "I will not turn against trusted crew without more. We will all keep our eyes open, and inform each other if we see more. Say nothing to the rest of the crew yet."
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“Fair enough.”
(Once out of earshot)
“I suggest we place a watch at night to keep an eye on us, and on the ship. But let’s keep that between us.”
The group follows Giles' advice, and watch out for each other through the night.
In the morning, the anchor is raised and the boat carries on down the river.
Quietly to the others, "I was watching the captain and the coxswain. I don't think they knew anything about the sabotage. But they sure seem mad at us now."
As the keelboat continues down the river on the second afternoon after boarding, the party members on deck all spy rapidly growing shadows on the deck.
A trio of river drakes are swooping down at the ship!
One of the drakes, larger than the others, swoops down through the stables with incredible speed and snatches up one of the horses, continuing on ahead of the ship.
A second drake descends to the height of the crowsnest and spews a glob of spittle at the deck beside Giles. The ball of phlegm explodes in a caustic mess of goo, possibly ensnaring Giles and Garm.
The final drake also unleashes its caustic spittle, this time against Barka.
Barka dodges to the side, but shrieks as the acid burns her.
Grodar spends his turn heading for the main deck.
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Slei will shoot at the nearest drake with her sling staff.
Slei's sling stone smacks solidly into the side of the scaly serpent.
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Mannfred runs out to the rail near the big drake, getting out his sling.
"Luckyyyyy! Bring back Lucky!"
"Damn youuuuu!"
Signalled by Mannfred, Dog slips from his leash and positions himself under the nearest drake, ready to attack if it comes in range.
"Grrrrrrrrrr"
Mannfred, Dog, and Zigil all reposition themselves on the deck.
Eldan 5’ steps to the door and opens it, surveying the scene. Upon seeing that both drakes are too far away for his spells at the moment he sends a force missile at the drake nearest to Master De Hammo.
Force Missile = 3 + 1 = 4
Giles gets out his blunderbuss and orders Garm to take cover. “Go to your bed boy”.
Garm runs away towards the galley.
Captain Bloodtusk yells out, "Drakes! Kill 'em all! HALREX! GET UP HERE!"
One of the crew members on deck flees towards the stairs leading below. The other, Barka, recovers a javelin and hurls it at the drake which spewed on her.
Unfortunately, piercing the drake's hide is beyond her ability at this range.
The alpha drake continues to fly away, burdened by the unfortunate Lucky.
The drake to starboard drops suddenly and pounces on Giles!
Its teeth sink into Giles' shoulder, as its tail lashes against his armour.
Grodar gets as close to the drake attacking Giles as he can
The other drake pounces on Barka, which allows Dog to attack.
Dog takes a big chunk out of the drake, throwing off its attack. However, its tail still strikes Barka a glancing blow.
Slei will fire again with her sling staff.
THWACK! Slei's aim remains true.
The drake attacking Giles is quite badly wounded.
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Mannfred uses his sling against the drake that Dog is attacking.
"Perhaps I should invest in a crossbow..."
He then reloads it, stepping five feet closer to the action.
Dog again tries to bite the closest drake.
Neither Mannfred or Dog are able to damage the drakes, while Zigil approaches the group.
“I must be closer to be effective with my spells,” and double moves up closer to the fight and Giles.
Giles loads his blunderbuss with a lead slug shot.
Correction after looking at the correct map:
Giles drops his blunderbuss and draws Agrimmosh,swinging it at the drake.
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“Foooore!” he yells as he swings upwards and connects.
Giles strikes down the threatening drake.
Barka pulls out a handaxe and swings wildly at the drake attacking her, while Halrex comes up from below and the lead drake flies further away.
Grodar moves to a flanking position against the remaining drake and attempts to bring it down.
Surrounded by foes, the drake strikes out in different directions.
The drake's powerful tail scores a solid hit on Grodar, and its fangs open a horrific wound on Barka. It's amazing that the sailor is still standing.
Slei will turn to the second drake and fire her sling staff.
Mannfred reloads and flings a slingstone, stepping another five feet closer to the drake near Dog.
Both stones connect with the drake, and it wavers in the air.
Double move past Eldan
Force Missile = 2 + 1 = 3
Giles moves in and attacks.
With a mighty blow, Giles fells the other drake.
Barka collapses on the deck, and Halrex races over to attend her.
The piteous whinnies of Lucky can be heard as the large drake flies downstream and to the north bank, where a cave can be seen up ahead.
Captain Bloodtusk speaks up.
"We need that horse! You lot will put ashore in the skiff and see if you can recover it!"
The keelboat continues down the river, but veers towards the northern shore.
“Very well, I think we may be able to manage this. Does anyone need to gather any gear or attend to wounds before we depart to rescue ‘Lucky’?”
"I will make my preparations when we are on dry land"
“I could use some healing. Garm can stay here.”
Giles gathers up his blunderbuss.